The pesticide malathion reduces survival and growth in developing zebrafish

Abstract

Malathion is an organophosphorous pesticide widely used to control mosquitoes in urban areas and pests, such as boll weevils, in agricultural areas. Zebrafish, Danio rerio, are model organisms for developmental toxicology research because they are readily available, produce large numbers of clear embryos, and are sensitive to environmental changes. The nonlethal effects of malathion on developing zebrafish embryos, however, previously have not been analyzed quantitatively. We exposed zebrafish embryos to sublethal malathion concentrations to determine malathion's effects on a developing vertebrate. Zebrafish exposed to 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 mg/L of malathion consistently elicited more rapid hatching from the chorion than zebrafish exposed to 2.0-, 2.5-, or 3.0-mg/L malathion concentrations. In addition, exposure to 2.0, 2.5, or 3.0 mg/L of malathion resulted in significantly shorter body length and eye diameters, indicating that malathion had teratogenic effects on zebrafish embryos. Malathion's action as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and the toxicity of the metabolites of malathion may be responsible for malathion's teratogenic effects on fish development.

Assessment of the health status of wild fish inhabiting a cotton basin heavily impacted by pesticides in Benin (West Africa)

“…In general, the weight and the condition factor K of fish sampled from the Alibori River were lower than those from the Pendjari River. A decrease in the K of fish exposed to pollutants was also reported by Alvarez et al (2005) in red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), by Hanson et al (2007) in Nile tilapia, brackish water catfish and African catfish, and by Cook et al (2005) in zebrafish. Several hypotheses could explain the decrease in the condition factor, but the most influencing one is most likely the bioenergetic one.…”

Developmental toxicity screening in zebrafish

“…Arsenite at low concentrations delayed hatching, whereas at high concentrations hatching was accelerated . In contrast, the insecticide malathion at low concentrations accelerated hatching, but high concentrations delayed it (Cook et al, 2005) (Table 2).…”

Micropollutants in three tributaries of Lake Constance, Argen, Schussen and Seefelder Aach: a literature review

“…≥ Faktor 3 über ZV) [107] Carassius auratus Verhalten 0,5 Bringolf et al [108] Pimephales promelas Reproduktion 5 Forget-Leray et al [109] Eurytemora affi nis (Copepoda) life-cycle 25 Chang et al [110] Cyprinus carpio Genexpression (CY P4501A1) 7 Tierney et al [111] Oncorhynchus mykiss Verhalten 1 Suzawa & Ingraham [112] Danio rerio Genexpression (zcyp19a1) 2,2 DEA (Desethylatrazin) Belfroid et al [113] Anabaena ¨ariabilis Photosynthese 700 2,4-DP (Dichlorprop) Takiguchi et al [114] Paramecium caudatum Motilität 235000 Enrich-Prast [115] Bakterien (Sediment) Nitrifi kation 1 3 Diuron Saglio & Trijasse [107] Carassius auratus Verhalten 5 Nebeker & Schuytema [116] Pimephales promelas Wachstum 3,4 Bretaud et al [117] Carassius auratus AChE-Aktivität 5 Fenitrothion Morgan & Kiceniuk [118] Salmo salar Verhalten 0,04 De Peyster & Long [119] Pimephales promelas Verhalten 2,46 Berrill et al [120] div. Amphibien Entwicklung, Verhalten 2 Choi et al [121] Chironomus riparius Enzymaktivität (SOD) 0,002 Isoproturon Traunspurger et al [122] Chlamydomonas [129] Flussmuschel (Larven, Glochidien) Schalenschluss 1 Cook et al [130] Danio rerio Entwicklung 2000 Ren et al [131] Daphnia magna Schwimmverhalten 0,9 Mecoprop EU [132] Fisch Toxizität 109000 Wirbellose Toxizität > 200000 Wirbellose Reproduktion > 22000 MCPA Hattula et al [133] Salmo trutta Histopathologie 30000…”